Blame it on the Elections

During my time in the West Bank, whenever something bad happened, those around me retorted with “blame it on the IDF”. Be it a wait at a check-point, hassle in the street, or even dropping a glass, everything was their fault.

Now in Khartoum, the same rhetoric is being used as Sudan begins its path to democracy. “Blame it on the elections” is said as a catch-all excuse; my delays in leaving, problems in transport, and more pertinently today for the Nuba Wrestling.

Along with the Sufi dancing in Omdurman, the traditional wrestling originating from the Nuba mountains is one of the things to see in Khartoum. The wrestling normally takes place every Friday at Souq Seta in Khartoum’s Bahri district, but arriving the day after the polls officially closed, the market-holders told us that it was closed, due to the elections. General feeling is that the government is keen to avoid large gatherings of people. We took the opportunity to gather mangoes, instead; they’re in season now, and delicious.